A Change Of Heart - Part 13

Seth’s POV

Kayla didn’t call back at all last night. What’s going on here? First she was complaining about how I’m not trying to put in the group effort and now I’m trying to check up on our work and she didn’t bother replying? I swear to God I will never understand girls.

It was Monday, I was stuck at home, thanks to the suspend Mrs. Nichols gave me. Sheesh.

But on the bright side, at least I won’t have to beat up somebody anymore. At least for now.

The bad news? The project’s due today and I probably will never know how it turned up like. But I’m pretty sure Kayla did a good job. She’s that kind of girl, it was obvious. I flopped on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

What was with Kayla? Sure, she’s nice, smart and all, but is that what’s all about her? Maybe I should try calling her again.

I went downstairs to the living room and picked up the telephone receiver when I realized something.

Oh wait, she’s probably in class, listening to ol' Mr. Judson’s rants. Poor her, it must be painful to have her ears all crammed in with his raves like that.

Wait, why am I even thinking of her? What importance does she have in my life anyway? Sure, we’re project partners but that’s it, there’s nothing else. How else is things going to - argh!

I set the receiver down and sat on the couch, burying my face in my hands. What is going on with me?! I thought I was tough, then she came and I became all mushy. Why? What is she doing to me? What is this spell she put me under? Don’t tell me I have to kiss a girl to be free from it!

"Hey, you busy?" A voice suddenly piped up. I quickly glanced up and saw Tania staring at me. I was flabbergasted.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked, or rather, demanded.

"Ditching school," she replied just as obnoxious. "What are you doing here?"

"In case you didn’t know, I got suspended," I snapped at her.

"Sucks for you, you’re probably gonna fail this grade anyway," she laughed meanly. I rolled my eyes and covered my ears with my hands.

"Hey listen," Tania stopped mocking me. "About this girl you’ve talking about..."

I sat up in my seat. "Who?!"

It was her turn to roll her eyes at me. "Oh please, don’t act dumb around me. That redhead you’ve been talking to yourself about. What’s her name? Kylie?"

"It’s Kayla, moron," I said gruffly.

"Right, see," she said. "You like her, obviously. It’s plain for everyone to see."

"I do not," I said, raising my voice.

"I do too!" She retorted. "And I got proof!"

"Oh yeah, like what?!" I demanded to know.

"Well, for one thing, you keep talking to yourself about her," she said, her voice suddenly calm. "And the way you got mad at me for saying her name wrong is another..."

"Shut up," I muttered, throwing a pillow in her direction.

She dodged the pillow easily, since my aiming wasn’t even right. "You know, if I were you, I’d just tell her right now."

"Tell her what?"

"That you like her," she replied.

I swear I wanted to punch her in the eye right now. "Are you crazy?!"

"No," she said as a matter-of-factly. "I think you should go for it."

"You are crazy, are you?!" I snapped. "Just admit it already!"

"And you like Kayla," she taunted. "Just admit that already!"

I groaned aloud in annoyance. "Fine! You win this round!"

I saw her grin deviously at me. "I’ll see you when you ask her out. Which is when exactly?"

"Never," I replied.

"Oh come on, I thought we had a deal!" She whined.

"Tania, there was no deal!" I said. "And I am not asking her out!"

"Alright," she said, not showing any signs of quitting. "What if another better looking, well-behaved guy came to her and asks her? Would you want that?"

I stared at her, wide-eyed. I really couldn’t imagine Kayla being with me, let alone another guy. And the thought of her with another guy makes me sick.

"Yeah, I knew you wouldn’t like it," Tania said sympathetically.

Finally, I’ve had enough. "Fine alright, I’ll ask her out. Later. After I’m not suspended. Can you leave now?"

She shrugged and nodded and exited the room, leaving me alone to my thoughts. Oh what have I gotten myself into?

Suddenly the sound of the phone ringing made me jump out of my skin. I reached for it but it stopped ringing all of a sudden. I was confused, until I heard voices from the other room.

"Hello?" Tania said, answering the phone from the cordless one. "Oh, hello Mrs. Nichols."

I froze in my seat. Why the hell is Mrs. Nichols calling?!

"Why am I not in school?" Tania said. I heard her pacing around the room. "Well, I kind of have a cold right now, ma’am."

Big sister lying to the principal through the phone? Nice. Maybe she’s just after Tania for ditching school.

"No, it’s the truth, ma’am. You can go ask Seth."

I feel like getting up and slapping her for good. After the mess she put me through, she still expects me to bail her out?!

"I’m sorry?" Tania asked, stopping. "Oh, I see. Uh-hmm, oh yes, yes. Okay, yes, I will, ma’am, bye!" She hung up a second later.

I wonder what the conversation was about. I was about to find out because Tania suddenly barged in to the living room again.

"Good news, little brother!" She announced. "Mrs. Nichols called and just canceled your suspension. Apparently she told me that your project with Kayla," she put emphasis on ‘Kayla’, "Was excellent. She asked me to take you there right now."

Before I could respond, she interrupted me. "Now that you’re ahead of schedule, I’d like to see some lovebirds in action!"

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Comment Replies:

Koushani: Hehe.

AbBa: And we will never know.

Stephanie: It's possible, haha.

Beth: It's true, and thanks!

Natalia S.: Thank you so much!

Makayla: Hmm...

Aeva: Aww really? I'm glad you like it!

Lala: But why?

Noyonika: Alright!